Interning Abroad
ISA Internships are available in 10 countries worldwide. Each placement is customized based on the personal and professional goals of each intern. Once abroad, you will intern for 25-40 hours a week at your host organization, immersing yourself in the culture. With in-country orientation, excursions, and cultural activities - in addition to our academic programming and professional development resources - your international internship will provide you with a robust experience that is focused on your goals.
- 10 countries available
- 8 - 12 weeks in duration
- 25-40 hours a week
- Start in May, June, September or January/February
- Optional 4-6 academic credits
Why intern with International Studies Abroad?
We provide students of many ages and interests a world of opportunities that immerse them in knowledge, culture, and inspiration. Browse our full collection of programs to find the program that’s right for you—or customize a once-in-a-lifetime experience for you and your students.
ISA's internship programs have been intentionally designed with a goal of delivering future ready, internationally adept graduates into the workforce of tomorrow. An internship is meant to build upon the knowledge students gain in their university courses and provide them with work experience in one of their preferred career fields. In addition to providing quality, personalized, internship placements, co-curricular dimensions of the program address both professional and personal skill development with clear learning outcomes. All students complete our International Internship Course, which is intentionally designed to focus on the NACE Career Readiness Competencies and intercultural development. Students also engage in cultural activities and excursions to become more familiar with their host community. With a variety of program options to select from, we can accommodate almost any student on an international internship experience.
STAND OUT
Companies want
employees with
global experience and mindset.
DEVELOP
SKILLS
Gain new technical professional, and cross-cultural skills that employers are looking for.
EARN CREDIT
Add on academic credit through your internship abroad with University of South Florida.
GAIN
PERSPECTIVE
Tackle events and challenges with an more informed point of view.
IMMERSE
YOURSELF
Improve your language skills and build out your international network.
6 Steps to Start Your Next Adventure
1. Select your program and apply online
Choose an internship program destination. Then select your duration and start date and submit your online application.
2. Submit your supplemental application materials by the deadline
Application deadlines vary. Be sure to check our application deadlines here and set a calendar reminder. We recommend applying online several weeks prior to the application deadline to give yourself enough time to submit your supplemental materials (resume, cover letter, statement from university, etc.).
3. Participate in an advising session, and fill out your forms and documents
Once your application is approved, you will be asked to submit forms to ensure we have all the information needed for your program. You will also be invited to participate in an advising session. Please be aware that you will be asked to make a $1,000 deposit before scheduling your advising session, which will be deducted from your outstanding balance. During this session, we will discuss resume and cover letter edits, your goals for the internship, prior skills and experience, and program expectations. After your advising session, you will receive updates during the placement process. Most students will be invited to participate in an interview with a potential company prior to placement confirmation.
4. Accept your internship
When a company decides to host you as an intern, you will receive a placement confirmation with the company name and job description. It is unusual to receive more than one internship placement. Much work and consideration is taken into account to present you with an internship that best matches your goals and experience level. Should you decide not to accept an internship, please know that another opportunity may not be available.
We aim to place students 4 weeks prior to the program start date. It is not uncommon to be waiting for an internship placement until this deadline. Programs that require visas are likely to place students further in advance to allow time for visa processing.
5. Book your travel
ISA will provide detailed instructions on how to book your flight abroad and receive airport pick up. Visa application instructions will also be provided should your program require one. Flight itineraries are due 1 month prior to your program start date.
What's Included
Participants have the option to receive a U.S. transcript through the University of South Florida for an additional fee. Please visit the Academic Credit page for more details.
ACADEMIC CREDIT OPTIONS
Throughout your Internship Program, you will engage in guided reflection assignments and activities. Please visit the Academic Credit page for more information about the course components.
INTERNATIONAL INTERNSHIP COURSE
The Internships team works with each applicant to learn about their personal and professional goals and interests, in addition to their education, work, or prior volunteer experiences. We believe that spending this time on the front-end with each applicant allows us to make great matches between each of our interns and a potential host company.
Sample past placements can be viewed on our website, but this is by no means a comprehensive list of the breadth of internships that we can accommodate.
INTERNSHIP PLACEMENT
Our team of trained Program Managers guides participants through the entire admissions process and abroad experience. We'll help you with program selection, resume advice, and pre-departure services including assistance with immigration visas, airline tickets, and orientation. The U.S. staff is in regular contact with the resident staff abroad who provide support to participants during their program.
INCLUSIVE ADVISING & SUPPORT
The on-site orientation experience is a multi-day, in-country orientation that blends adventure, lecture, and culture into an exciting and informative introduction to the intern's new host country. Each orientation is designed to:
- Inform participants of the cultural and professional experience that lies ahead.
- Guide each participant through a goal-setting activity to encourage them to reflect on their expectations for their experience abroad.
- Introduce participants to the local culture, in and out of the workplace.
- Prepare participants for health and safety issues in their host country.
- Provide participants an opportunity to socialize with other ISA participants.
ON-SITE ORIENTATION
The full-time resident staff is available to assist you with all aspects of your experience abroad. The resident staff arranges the Bridging Cultures Program orientation, excursions, weekly meetings, cultural activities, and much more. Staff members are trained to ensure the well-being of each program participant and are dedicated to facilitating a positive and meaningful experience abroad.
FULL-TIME RESIDENT STAFF
Our team of trained Program Managers guides participants through the entire admissions process and abroad experience. We'll help you with program selection, resume advice, and pre-departure services including assistance with immigration visas, airline tickets, and orientation. The U.S. staff is in regular contact with the resident staff abroad who provide support to participants during their program.
PROGRAM MANAGER
The Professional Development Toolbox is designed to help develop your career readiness competencies before, during, and after your program. Through a series of resources, ISA will provide you the tools necessary for you to begin to reflect on and grow the key competencies as defined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). Our goal is that through these resources and tools, the gap between the classroom and the working world closes for you. The Toolbox includes:
- Pro-Tip Email and Video Series
- Career Resource and Alumni Guides
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TOOLBOX
A Blanket Accident and Sickness Policy is included in the program and covers you during the official on-site period of the program. This is not an optional benefit; every ISA participant will be covered by this policy. A full description of coverage can be found on the ISA website. We recommend that you maintain comprehensive health insurance while abroad. This is particularly important if you have any pre-existing conditions but is also beneficial if you have an injury or illness while abroad and require further treatment upon your return home. Please be sure to consult with your current insurance provider to confirm coverage policies while traveling abroad.
MEDICAL AND LIABILITY INSURANCE
Full-time resident staff or trusted ISA partners assist interns with all aspects of their experience abroad including orientation, navigation of the internship experience, cultural activities and much more. On-site staff arranges excursions, weekly meetings, cultural activities, and much more. Staff members are trained to ensure the well-being of each program participant and are dedicated to facilitating a positive and meaningful abroad experience. Interns are provided with a 24/7 emergency ISA number upon their arrival.
24-HOUR EMERGENCY SUPPORT
The ISA Internships team works with each applicant to learn about their personal and professional goals and interests, in addition to their education, work, or volunteer experiences. We believe that spending this time on the front-end with each applicant allows us to make great matches between each of our interns and one of our over 800 host companies. Sample past placements can be viewed on our website, but this is by no means a comprehensive list of the breadth of internships that we can accommodate.
PLACEMENT SUPERVISION
In order to maximize cultural immersion, ISA develops unique professional development and cultural activities. These activities invite students to experience the local color of their host city, while learning about the history and culture of their new surroundings, as well as various aspects of the business culture of their host country. Cultural activities may include museum visits, attending sporting events, dance classes, cooking lessons, art and cultural festivals, etc. Cultural activities vary by site. Professional development events may include company visits, teambuilding exercises, personal branding workshops, or guest speakers.
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES & EXCURSIONS
All participants will have access to ISA Internships' Online Orientation which includes comprehensive information on accommodations, communications, health, internship expectations, money, packing, transportation, work culture, and other valuable information specific to your host city. All students will be provided a final packet with arrival information two - three weeks prior to departure.
Your admissions team will also provide you with visa information and offers guidance for each of our program countries and their corresponding U.S.-based consulates. More limited support will be provided to non-U.S. citizens. Visas are required for U.S. citizens for the following countries: Australia, China, England, New Zealand, and Vietnam.
VISA SUPPORT
Housing is included in all in-country programs. ISA Internships offer the following housing options to students:
- Homestay: Some ISA Internship programs offer the option for participants to stay with local families.
- Apartments: Many ISA Internship programs offer the option of apartment-living.
- Residence halls: Dorms, guesthouses and student residencies are available in some ISA Internship locations.
- Student hostels: Some ISA Internship programs offer the option of living in student hostels.
HOUSING
Transportation is provided from the airport for participants who arrive during the designated pick-up times.
AIRPORT RECEPTION
Financing
Below is a list of various resources to help you fund your program. We also encourage you to speak with your campus study abroad office.
Alumni Survey - Interns Agree That...
The experience helped them build their soft skills (adaptability, teamwork, communication, etc.)
They have talked about their international internship experience in interviews
Having an international internship on their resume gave them an advantage over their peers
